Sunshine is a gift.
Something incredibly exceptional.
Sunshine gives.
Sunshine by providing the warm offer of our love.
Sunshine by extending a ray of hope when someone dispairs.
Sunshine by delivering the light of God's word to the world.
Sunshine by helping another grow; in faith, in knowledge, in love
At day's dawning, sunlight tenders revival.
An anticipation that all things are as they should be.
At the eventide, let others remember you as the sunset.
The beauty of your love casts a glorious hue
to inspire all fortunate enough for the viewing.
Showing posts with label Faith and Grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith and Grace. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Called to Grace-November 2009
Can you imagine that being diagnosed with cancer is something that I’m thankful for? Through that time I was fighting cancer, God taught me two incredible lessons.
You see before my diagnosis, I was an island; or at least a family island. I went to work, took care of my kids, did volunteer work, the pets, the house. I was taking care of it all. My mom told me I was burning the candle at both ends. And on Sundays, I came to Holy Cross as my house of worship.
In a small corner of Holy Cross, that changed. Some wonderful friends emerged. They listened when I worried about my upcoming surgery, provided strength when I was tired from radiation treatments, and offered a shoulder to cry on when I was overwhelmed. Did I need a meal? Could they take the kids?
Then God’s lessons unfolded. I learned I was not alone. Despite my pride in my handling it all, I no longer had to carry the burden myself. I knew God was always by me side, but I opened myself to a new family.
And that brings me to the second lesson. Not only was I transformed but so was Holy Cross. I was no longer merely a house of worship but it became my spiritual home. Home as where the heart is. No longer just a structure, but a place of comfort and refuge. It was always here waiting for me to open myself to the love found within.
God is our Heavenly Father. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Within these walls, there are open arms, warms smiles and our Father’s love. We need to understand we are not alone. Our family awaits. Welcome home.
God’s blessings,
JJJ
You see before my diagnosis, I was an island; or at least a family island. I went to work, took care of my kids, did volunteer work, the pets, the house. I was taking care of it all. My mom told me I was burning the candle at both ends. And on Sundays, I came to Holy Cross as my house of worship.
In a small corner of Holy Cross, that changed. Some wonderful friends emerged. They listened when I worried about my upcoming surgery, provided strength when I was tired from radiation treatments, and offered a shoulder to cry on when I was overwhelmed. Did I need a meal? Could they take the kids?
Then God’s lessons unfolded. I learned I was not alone. Despite my pride in my handling it all, I no longer had to carry the burden myself. I knew God was always by me side, but I opened myself to a new family.
And that brings me to the second lesson. Not only was I transformed but so was Holy Cross. I was no longer merely a house of worship but it became my spiritual home. Home as where the heart is. No longer just a structure, but a place of comfort and refuge. It was always here waiting for me to open myself to the love found within.
God is our Heavenly Father. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Within these walls, there are open arms, warms smiles and our Father’s love. We need to understand we are not alone. Our family awaits. Welcome home.
God’s blessings,
JJJ
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Called to Grace--August 2009
Dan and I had a wonderful time in Alaska. There is something about its majesty that cannot be caught on film although the pictures are beautiful and cannot be explained in words despite my best attempts. Judy Unland and I discussed it a bit when I returned. You can’t stand before Mount McKinley or Hubbard Glacier and not know that there is a God. It just can’t be an accident.
Each day we were given a new treasure to view and explore. A trip down the coast with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. A perfect view of Denali. The power of Hubbard Glacier. A baby whale frolicking just yards from our boat. Hiking up to a 300’ waterfall. Bald eagles diving.
And then on our way home, God gave me yet another gift. We were transferring flights in Wisconsin. We came off the plane at about the same time as a mother travelling with her three young children. The children were struggling with the carryon luggage and mom was fighting a car seat for her youngest child. After we found our next gate and settled our own carryon luggage, I went back to help. While I did little more than stay with the kids while the mom changed her little one or rolled their luggage the length of a small terminal, I gave this mother a little peace of mind and helped her meet the timetable to catch their connecting flight. For that moment in time my eyes and heart were open to the needs of another traveler. God’s gift to me was to put me in the right place and then to open my eyes.
May God grant you the gift of eyes wide open. The view is heavenly.
Each day we were given a new treasure to view and explore. A trip down the coast with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. A perfect view of Denali. The power of Hubbard Glacier. A baby whale frolicking just yards from our boat. Hiking up to a 300’ waterfall. Bald eagles diving.
And then on our way home, God gave me yet another gift. We were transferring flights in Wisconsin. We came off the plane at about the same time as a mother travelling with her three young children. The children were struggling with the carryon luggage and mom was fighting a car seat for her youngest child. After we found our next gate and settled our own carryon luggage, I went back to help. While I did little more than stay with the kids while the mom changed her little one or rolled their luggage the length of a small terminal, I gave this mother a little peace of mind and helped her meet the timetable to catch their connecting flight. For that moment in time my eyes and heart were open to the needs of another traveler. God’s gift to me was to put me in the right place and then to open my eyes.
May God grant you the gift of eyes wide open. The view is heavenly.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Called to Grace July 2009
Carpe Diem, often translated as “seize the day”. Usually explained, according to popular ideas of Epicurian philosophy, as - Enjoy the present day; but capable of higher interpretation - Seize the present opportunity; improve time.
I like the thought of seize the present opportunity, live life without regrets . It’s like the joke about the man standing at the gates of heaven behind Mother Theresa and St. Peter tells her, “Well, you really should have done more.” Would that make our heart pound?
Surely, we are not Mother Theresa. But we are God’s hands, here, now.
So whether we enter….
Haven House
Kingdom House
Ronald McDonald House, or
God’s house
Enter with a loving heart and let your light shine.
And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday. Isaiah 58:10
Carpe Diem. Seize the day. No regrets.
I like the thought of seize the present opportunity, live life without regrets . It’s like the joke about the man standing at the gates of heaven behind Mother Theresa and St. Peter tells her, “Well, you really should have done more.” Would that make our heart pound?
Surely, we are not Mother Theresa. But we are God’s hands, here, now.
So whether we enter….
Haven House
Kingdom House
Ronald McDonald House, or
God’s house
Enter with a loving heart and let your light shine.
And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday. Isaiah 58:10
Carpe Diem. Seize the day. No regrets.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Called to Grace--from June 2009
I find that I read most of my news online. Beyond that I like to read self-help articles, those on relationships , gardening, health. One WebMD article that struck me recently included steps to being happy. More than that, it was entitled, “Choosing to Be Happy” by Tom Valeo
Happiness Strategy #7: Engage in Meaningful Activities
People are seldom happier, says psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, than when they're in the "flow." This is a state in which your mind becomes thoroughly absorbed in a meaningful task that challenges your abilities. Yet, he has found that the most common leisure time activity -- watching TV -- produces some of the lowest levels of happiness.
To get more out of life, we need to put more into it, says Csikszentmihalyi. "Active leisure that helps a person grow does not come easily," he writes in Finding Flow. "Each of the flow-producing activities requires an initial investment of attention before it begins to be enjoyable."
That word investment got me thinking.
When we invest, we give something of ourselves (usually money) in order for some appreciate in value.
But I found another meaning of investment at dictionary.com, “a devoting, using, or giving of time, talent, emotional energy, etc., as for a purpose or to achieve something”
How appropriate, when we give of ourselves we receive so much more. Not only that but devoting ourselves for a purpose, not aimless activity but for achievement, a goal, providing something that wouldn’t exist if not for you.
I want to share a little bit on an email I got from my sister-in-law Julie in April.
“Jackie, I wanted to let you know I walked today for breast cancer, it was the Susan G Komen race for the cure (in Indianapolis). I walked for Mom, Cherie and you. It was the most uplifting, inspiring thing I have done in a long time. I did do it and I felt sooo good about it that I want to get more involved with it. I am gonna try to be a volunteer next year.”
Pretty strong reward for a couple of blisters.
Still looking for an opportunity nearby? Check out volunteermatch.org.
The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 15:10 “ Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
We are assured that our expenditure will receive a return; blessed even. So go ahead invest in your happiness, choose to share your talents and sit back and reap your rewards. I bet you’ll have a smile on your face.
God's Blessings,
JJJ
Happiness Strategy #7: Engage in Meaningful Activities
People are seldom happier, says psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, than when they're in the "flow." This is a state in which your mind becomes thoroughly absorbed in a meaningful task that challenges your abilities. Yet, he has found that the most common leisure time activity -- watching TV -- produces some of the lowest levels of happiness.
To get more out of life, we need to put more into it, says Csikszentmihalyi. "Active leisure that helps a person grow does not come easily," he writes in Finding Flow. "Each of the flow-producing activities requires an initial investment of attention before it begins to be enjoyable."
That word investment got me thinking.
When we invest, we give something of ourselves (usually money) in order for some appreciate in value.
But I found another meaning of investment at dictionary.com, “a devoting, using, or giving of time, talent, emotional energy, etc., as for a purpose or to achieve something”
How appropriate, when we give of ourselves we receive so much more. Not only that but devoting ourselves for a purpose, not aimless activity but for achievement, a goal, providing something that wouldn’t exist if not for you.
I want to share a little bit on an email I got from my sister-in-law Julie in April.
“Jackie, I wanted to let you know I walked today for breast cancer, it was the Susan G Komen race for the cure (in Indianapolis). I walked for Mom, Cherie and you. It was the most uplifting, inspiring thing I have done in a long time. I did do it and I felt sooo good about it that I want to get more involved with it. I am gonna try to be a volunteer next year.”
Pretty strong reward for a couple of blisters.
Still looking for an opportunity nearby? Check out volunteermatch.org.
The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 15:10 “ Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
We are assured that our expenditure will receive a return; blessed even. So go ahead invest in your happiness, choose to share your talents and sit back and reap your rewards. I bet you’ll have a smile on your face.
God's Blessings,
JJJ
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Called to Grace--from October 2009
Dan and I, as well as the kids, have been working on his house to get it ready to sell. The kids tend to run out of energy for those chores before the adults do so Dan has left a television there for those times. The kids were watching Jurassic Park one of those afternoons. There is one scene where Dr. Grant, played by Sam Neill, is going to climb an electric fence. Now this fence is not electrified any longer because of a betrayal of one of the staff. Dr. Grant grabs the cable and pretends the electricity is coursing through him. The kids are frightened. Dr. Grant lets go and laughs. One of the children thinks this is very funny, the other not so much.
Dan used this scene in the movie as a teaching moment for our boys in how to test for electricity. If you grab a wire and it’s electrified, it causes your muscles to contract. You can’t let go. You test electricity with the back of your hand so that you can pull your hand away.
It made me think how this is much like how we get caught in sin. If we reach to grab (when it’s all about us), we can get caught up in sin. Sin has a way of taking hold sometimes and it’s hard to let go. Sin is all around us, tempting. But it is our actions, the reaching out and grabbing—the taking hold that entraps us. And there we are in the tragic dance with the very thing that can kill us. With electricity, it’s our body that dies. With sin, it’s our souls.
But if we reach out with an open hand, in giving (living our lives for others), we avoid the painful spasm that entraps us in sin. We are concentrating on the receiver that they safely receive our offering. God recognizes our giving heart and hands and so we are unharmed. Unscathed, healthy, whole through His energy. Who could protest that you are your most alive when you are charged by God? Electrifying!
God's blessings,
JJJ
Dan used this scene in the movie as a teaching moment for our boys in how to test for electricity. If you grab a wire and it’s electrified, it causes your muscles to contract. You can’t let go. You test electricity with the back of your hand so that you can pull your hand away.
It made me think how this is much like how we get caught in sin. If we reach to grab (when it’s all about us), we can get caught up in sin. Sin has a way of taking hold sometimes and it’s hard to let go. Sin is all around us, tempting. But it is our actions, the reaching out and grabbing—the taking hold that entraps us. And there we are in the tragic dance with the very thing that can kill us. With electricity, it’s our body that dies. With sin, it’s our souls.
But if we reach out with an open hand, in giving (living our lives for others), we avoid the painful spasm that entraps us in sin. We are concentrating on the receiver that they safely receive our offering. God recognizes our giving heart and hands and so we are unharmed. Unscathed, healthy, whole through His energy. Who could protest that you are your most alive when you are charged by God? Electrifying!
God's blessings,
JJJ
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